Grapple fork



Dec. 13, 1932. H. LnFERRiS I GRAPPLE FORK Filed Nov. 28, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IIIII/I/I/ H. L. FERRIS GRAPPLE FORK Dec. 13, 1932.

Filed Nov. 28. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I @rrzd, f/ fi Patented Dec. 13, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

HENRY L. FERRIS, OF HARVARD, ILLINOIS; HOWARD J. FEB-BIS AND EUGENE G. FER-BIS, EXECUTORS OF SAID HENRY L. FERRIS, DECEASED, ASSIGNORS '10 STAR-LINE, INCL, OF HARVARD, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS GRAPPLE FORK Application filed 'November 28, 1930. Serial No.'498,849.

My invention relates to grapple-forks for use more particularly, in shifting hay from one location to another, as for example from a wagon into a loft, or vice versa, and comprising separate tine-sections adapted to be manipulated toward each other into carrying engagement with the hay to pick up a load thereof and away from each other to discharge the load.

One of my objects is to provide a construction of grapple-fork whereby the tine-sections thereof may be manipulated into different positions independently of each other to lighten the work required of the operator in positioning the grapple-fork for taking a load. 1

Another object is to render the grapple fork capable of taking loads of different volume, thereby adapting a single structure to perform the duty now commonly performed by a plurality of grapple forks of difi'erent sizes.

Another object is to provide for the shifting of the tine-sections without interference from the lock-blocks commonly used in conjunction with structures of this kind.

Another object is to provide a novel, simple, strong and economical construction of tine-section; and other objects as will be manifest from the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings t Figure 1 is a perspective view of a grapple-fork constructed in accordance with my invention, the structure shown being represented in the position from which it is operated, to load-engaging position.

Figure 2 is a plan View of one of the similar tine-sections of the fork with certain parts broken away.

Figure 3 is a broken view of one of the similar bridle chains of the fork equipped with a snap-lock.

Figure & is a perspective view of a strut forming a part of the tine-section.

Figure 5 is a section taken at the line 5 on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 6 is a view in elevation of the lockblock forming a part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; and

Figure 7 a broken plan view of a detail of a modified form of the tine-section.

The grapple-fork illustrated comprises two similar tine-sections 8 which, in accordance with Figures 1-6, inclusive, are each formed of three tines 9 provided on the outer ends of bar-portions 10 extending at an angle thereto, the outermost ones of the barportions 10 being deflected at their inner ends as represented at 11 at which they fit flatwise against thecintermediate bar-portion 10, these several bar-portions being secured together as by the bolts represented at 12, the intermediate one of the bar-portions 10 being shorter than the others thereof thereby forming recess 13 in the inner ends of the tinesections 8. i

The tines9 are spacedapart and held in such position by a strut 14: preferably of the form shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4.- and 5 and formed of an angle-bar the depending flange 15 of which is slotted midway between its ends as represented at 16. The ends of the flange 15 are cut away and the ends of the horizontal flange 17 of the bar are bent over as represented at 18 to extend in spaced relationto the ends of the flange 15 and form slots 19.

The outermost ones of the bar-portions 10 extend into the slots 19 and the intermediate one of these bar-portions into the slot 16, a U-bolt 20 straddling the intermediate barportion 10 and being secured to the flange 17 thus securing this bar-portion to the strut, and bolts 14 extending through the end. ones of the bar-portions 10 and the downwardlybent portions 18 securing these parts together.

The construction 7 also comprises a chain 21 having a ring 22 midway between itsends, the chain being secured at its end-portions to the inner ends of the tine-sections 8. The attachment of the chain 21 to the tine-sections is by detachable means, such as the bolts shownat 23, which may be engaged with any one of the links of the chain to render the effective length of the latter greater or less as desired, the links which engage the bolts extending into the recesses 13.

Each tine-section 8 is also provided with a bridle-chain formed of the two chain-sections 24 shown as connected at their outer ends to clevises 25 secured to the strut 14 and at their inner ends with a snap-hook 26 of common construction.

The grapple-fork is shown as associated with hoisting and controlling mechanisms as commonly employed with forks of this kind, these mechanisms comprising a lock-block 27 having a recess 28 to receive the ring 22 below which is a pivoted keeper 29 for holding the ring 22 to the block 27, the keeper being urged by a spring (not shown) into locking position and withdrawable therefrom through the medium of a pivoted lever 30 actuated to a position for withdrawing the keeper from locking position by means of a pullrope 31.

The lock-block 27 is provided at opposite sides with eyes 32 to interlock with the snaphooks 26, and is supported from block and tackle mechanism represented at 33 and which in practice may be supported to'depend from a carrier (not shown) movable along a track (not shown) as is common in hay-carrier apparatus, the connection between the lock-block 27 and the hoisting mechanism being preferably releasable as for example by providing the hoisting mechanism with a hook at having a pivoted keeper 35.

Figure 7 shows a modification of the tine section where but two tines are employed, the bar-portions supporting the tines being represented at 36 and bolted together at their deflected ends 37 as represented at 38, with a bar 39 interposed between these bar-portions and reaching short of the ends of the latter to provide a recess 40 to receive the chain, such as that shown in the preceding figures, which extends into this recess and is held in place by a bolt 41 corresponding with the bolt 23.

In the use of the fork it is lowered to the hay to be lifted and the tines 9, in the substantially vertically extending position shown in Fig. 1, forced down into the hay as by the operator stamping down on the struts 14:. The hoisting mechanism is then operated to raise the fork, the ring 22 being locked to the lock-block 27. In this position of the parts the lifting force exerted by the hoisting mechanism is exerted on the tine-sections at their connections with the chain 21, whereby the tine sections 8 are swung inwardly at their tines 9 toward the mass of hay between the latter causing a load of hay to become cradled in the fork, in carrying position. Upon reaching the point at which the load is to be dumped. the operator pulls on the cable 31 which withdraws the keeper 29 and releases the chain 21 from the block 27 whereupon the we ght of the load is free to exert a spreadin action on the tines of the respective sections 8 (the support of the tine-sections having thus become shifted to the connections between the bridle chains and the tinesections) and drops from the fork.

It will be understood from the foregoing that by the provision of the chain 21 and the releasable and adjustable connections with the tine-sections, the latter may be caused to be spaced farther 0r closer apart as desired whereby the fork may be adapted to pick up larger or smaller loads of hay as desired.

Furthermore, the chain-connection between the lock-block 27 and the tine-sections permits the operator to shift the tine-sections independently of each other in the positioning of the fork for taking a load, asdistinguished from being required to bodily shift the entire fork structure as when the tinesections are directly pivoted together.

The releasable connection of the chains 2-i with the lock-block 27 at the snap-hooks 26 permits of the ready disconnection of the tine-sections from the block 27 permitting the operator to shift the fork without interference by the lock-block as is sometimes desirable.

The constructing of the tine sections to provide tlie recesses 13 is of advantage as such recesses are advantageously located for receiving the links of the chain 21.

The constructing of the fork with the tines and bar-portions 10 and the strut as stated is of advantage as the tine-sections are thereby rendered of relatively light weight and highly resistant to the stresses to which they are subjected in use, particularly those exerted against them by the operator forcing the tines into the hay to position them for taking a load.

While I have illustrated and described a particular construction embodying my invention, I do not wish to be understood as intending to limit it thereto as the same may be variously modified and altered without departing from the spirit of my invention. 4

hat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A hay fork of the type including a block, a pair of opposing tine-sections provided at their inner ends with means flexibly connect- I ing them together and releasably to the block and adapted to be closed on the load when carried by said connection, said tine-sections being also connected near their distal ends with the block by a dumping bridle which opens them when the first connection is released, the hay fork being characterized by the fact that the first named connection is constructed to permit independent, universal, pivotal and in and out movement, whereby each tine section may be separately adjusted in loading without moving the other.

2. A hay fork of the type including a block, a pair of supporting tine sections provlded at their inner ends with adjustable means flexibly connecting them together and releasably to the block and adapted to be closed on the load when carried by said connection, said tine sections being also connected near their distal ends with the block by a dumping bridle which opens them when the first connection is released, the hay forkbeing characterized by the fact that the first named connection is constructed to permit independent, universal, pivotal and in and out movement,

whereby each tine section may be separately adjusted in loading without moving the other.

3. A hay fork of the type including a block, a pair of opposing tine sections provided at their inner ends with chains flexibly connecting them together and releasably to the block and adapted to be closed on the load when carried by said connection, said tine sections being also connected near their distal ends with the block by a dumping bridle which opens them when the first connection is released, the hay fork being characterized by the fact that the first named connection is constructed to permit independent, universal, pivotal and in and out movement whereby each tine section may be separately adjusted in loading without moving the other.

4. A hay fork of the type including a block, a pair of opposing tine sections provided at their inner ends with adjustable chains,

means flexibly connecting them together and releasably to the block and adapted to be closed on the load when carried by said connection, said tine sections being also connected near their distal ends with the block by a dumping bridle which opens them when the first connection is closed, the hay fork being characterized by the fact that the first named connection is constructed to permit independent, universal, pivotal and in and out movement whereby each tine-section may be subsequently adjusted in loading without moving the other.

5. A hay fork of the type including a block,

a pair of opposing tine sections provided at their inner ends with adjustable means flexibly connecting them together and releasably to the block and adapted to be closed on the load when carried by said connection, flexible means connecting the block with said tinesections near their distal ends whereby said sections are opened when the first connection is released, the hay fork being characterized by the fact that the first named connection is constructed to permit independent, universal,

pivotal and in and out movement whereby in loading each tine-section may be separately adjusted without moving the other.

HENRY L. FERRIS. 

